Matthew Hollar, 44, apparently set his house at 969 W. Kitchen Road on fire shortly before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, Bay County Sheriff's Lt. Troy Cunningham said. Emergency personnel responding to the report of a house fire found Hollar's body in his backyard, a gunshot wound to his head, Cunningham said.

Investigators remained at the scene as of 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, sifting through the shell of Hollar's charred, one-story house.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said Hollar built the home himself and lived there for at least nine years. She said he had recently threatened suicide, as he was in the midst of a divorce and his house was going through foreclosure.

The neighbor said Hollar was employed by a demolition company and his work frequently took him out of Michigan.

Around 1 a.m., the neighbor said she was awakened by emergency sirens. She looked out her window and heard a single gunshot shortly thereafter.

The neighbor said Hollar has at least two adult children and one grandchild.

In light of Hollar's death, the Bay Arenac Suicide Prevention Coalition is encouraging those who may be contemplating suicide or know someone who is to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the local Community Mental Health Emergency Services through Bay Arenac Behavioral Health at 1-800-327-4693.